Joint retention clip for a building wall structure

ABSTRACT

Joint retention means in the form of a clip, for confining a male lip of a first panel within a fixed female lip of a second panel, against withdrawal by negative wind loading. The retention clip presents at least one wing element which is flexible in a direction normal to the general plane of the panel, and is relatively inflexible in a direction parallel with the direction of withdrawal of the male lip from the female lip.

i United States Patent Vare 51 Nov. 4, 1975 JOINT RETENTION CLIP FOR ABUILDING 3,209,503 10/1965 Mosteller 52/478 x WALL STRUCTURE 3,300,9341/1967 Waizenhofer.... 52/489 X 3,394,519 7/1968 Tischule 52/478Inventorr Bobby Vare, Mllton, 3,603,057 9/1971 Curran 52/478 [73]Assignee: H. H. Robertson Company,

Pittsburgh, Pa, Primary ExaminerEmest R. Purser Assistant Examiner-CarlD. Friedman [22] Filed 1973 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Harry B. Keck;George E. [21] Appl. No.: 331,557 Manias [44] Published under the TrialVoluntary Protest Program on January 28, 1975 as document no. [57]ABSTRACT B Joint retention means in the form of a clip, for confining amale lip of a first panel within a fixed female lip SZMZhZS/gg of aSecond p against withdrawal y negative [58] Fie'ld S 478 522 windloading. The retention clip presents at least one 50 wing element whichis flexible in a direction normal to the general plane of the panel, andis relatively inflexible in a direction parallel with the direction ofwith- [56] g gzz lgs gglims drawal of the male lip from the female lip.2,642,968 6/1953 Roush et al 52/522 x 4 Claims 19 Drawing figures US.Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 1 of3 3,916,577

US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 2 of3 3,916,577

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Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 3 of 3 3,916,577

FIG. l6 a JOINT RETENTION CLIP FOR A BUILDING WALL STRUCTURE BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates tovertical and inclined building wall structures of the type having jointsformed by interengaged male and fixed female lips wherein the male lipis subject to disengagement by negative wind loading of the wallstructure, and more particularly to joint retention means in the form ofa clip by which the male lip is confined within the fixed female lip.

2. Description of the Prior Art Wall structures are known wherein thejoints between adjacent panels comprise interengaged male and femalelips which extend laterally of the general plane of the wall structure.The female lip presents a terminal flange extending laterally beyond thelips. The terminal flange portion is secured to a supporting structureby fasteners. See US. Pat. No. 3,324,617 (KNIGHT et al., June 1967);British Pat. No. 1,099,735 (H. H. ROB- ERTSON COMPANY, January 1968).

Wall structures also are known having similar interengaged male andfemale lips wherein clip members are employed to secure the female lipto a supporting structure. See US Pat. Nos. 3,300,934 (WAIZEN- I-IOFER,January 1967); 3,394,519 (TISCHUK, July 1968); 3,438,168 (TISCHUK, April1969).

In all of the above-described wallstructures, the stiffness of thebuilding panel is relied upon to retain the male lip engaged with thefemale lip. When the wall structure is subjected to negative windloading, the male lip may be disengaged from the female lip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The principal object of the present inventionis to provide a joint retention clip by,which a male lip of one panel iscontained within a fixed female lip of an adjacent panel under negativewind loading.

A further object of the invention is to provide a joint retention clipby which a neat panel joint is assured.

The present invention provides improvements in a joint between adjacentpanels of the type wherein the panels present confronting first andsecond side walls extending inwardly toward a supporting structure, suchas a subgirt. A female lip extends laterally from the first side walland inwardly of the panel. A male lip extends laterally from the secondside wall into the female lip.

In accordance with the present invention means is provided for securingthe female lip to the supporting structure. At least one wing element isprovided which extends outwardly from the supporting structure inconfronting relation with a face of the second side wall which is remotefrom the first side wall. The wing element is flexible in a directionparallel with the second side wall, whereby the wing element may bedepressed by the male lip during installation of the panel. After themale lip is inserted into the female lip, the wing element returns toits original outwardly extending position. The wing element isrelatively inflexible in a direction normal to the first side wall,whereby the male lip is confined within the female lip against forces,such as negative wind loading, tending to withdraw the male lip from thefemale lip.

The means for securing the female lip to the supportporting structure.In this arrangement, the fastener also secures the wing element to thesupporting structure.

The means for securing the female lip to the supporting structure maycomprise a fastener extending through a terminal flange portionpresented by the female lip. In this arrangement, the fastener alsosecures the wing element to the supporting structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a broken, fragmentary frontview of a building wall structure incorporating the joint retentionmeans of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary isometric view, in exploded form, illustrating ajoint between adjacent panels of the wall structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the joint retention means of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a plane view of the joint retention means of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a clip member;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are side and plan views, respectively, of an alternativeembodiment of the present joint retention means;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary isometric view, similar to FIG. 2, illustratingthe use of the joint retention means of FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 2illustrating an initial position of a panel being installed with respectto the joint retention means I of this invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line l0l0 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 9, illustrating an intermediateposition ofthe panel being installed with the present joint retentionmeans in a depressed condition;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line l2l2 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 9, illustrating the final installedposition of the panel with the present joint retention means in anoperative position;

FIG. 14 is a crosssectional view taken along the line 1414 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an isometric view of a further alternative embodiment of thepresent joint retention means;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the joint retention means of FIG. 15; and

FIGS. l7, l8 and 19 are cross-sectional views, similar to FIGS. l0, l2and 14, illustrating the installation of a panel and use of the jointretention means of FIGS. 15 and 16.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates a wallstructure 10 comprising plural building panels 11 erected inside-by-side relation to a supporting structure, such as the buildingframework 12 of a building of which only subgirts 13 are illustrated.Joints 14 are presented between adjacent ones of the building panels 11.Securing means 15 is provided for securing one edge of the panels 11 tothe subgirts 13. Joint retention means 16 of this invention is providedfor confining the panels 11 at each joint 14.

Each of the'panels 11 (FIG. 2) comprises a central web 17 having firstand second side walls l8, 19 formed along the opposite longitudinaledges of the central web 17. A female lip 20 extends laterally from theinboard edge of the first side wall 18 inwardly of the panel. The femalelip provides a lengthwise channel 21. A male flange 22 extends laterallyfrom the inboard edge of the second side wall 19 outwardly of the panel11. As shown in FIG. 2, the male lip 22 of the panel 11A is positionedto be introduced into the lengthwise channel 21 of the female lip 20 ofthe adjacent panel 118. The joint retention means 16 is secured to thesubgirt 13 adjacent to the entrance of the lengthwise channel 21.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the joint retention means 16 comprises aclip member 23 having a central, U- shaped base 24 including a web 25having upstanding flange portions 26 along opposite sides thereof. Theclip member 23 additionally provides wing elements 27 which extend inopposite directions and which are inclined relative to the web 25. Eachwing element 27 terminates in a flat end portion 28. The web 24 isprovided with a central aperture 29 used in securing the clip member 23to the supporting structure. In one commercial embodiment, the clipmember 23 is formed from heat treated spring steel having a thickness of0.022 inches. The wing elements 27 are flexible in the directionindicated by the arrows 30 in FIG. 3 and are relatively inflexible inthe direction indicated by the arrows 31 in FIG. 4.

The securing means 15 (FIG. 1) may comprise a clip member 32 (FIG. 5)which is similar to that clip member described and illustrated in US.Pat. No. 3,438,168, supra. The clip member 32 comprises a lip receivingportion 33 providing a recess 34 for receiving the female lip 20 (FIG.2) of a panel 11. A pair of inwardly sloped prongs 35 provided on thelip receiving portion 33 are positioned to engage an outer surface ofthe female lip 20 thereby securing the clip member 32 to the female lip20. The clip member 32 additionally includes a flat body portion 36which is offset from and connected to the lip receiving portion 33 by anintermediate body portion 37. The flat body portion 36 is provided witha central aperture 38.

It will be observed in FIG. 2 that the flat body portion 36 of the clipmember 32 overlies the U-shaped base 24 of the joint retention means 16.A fastener 39 secures the clip member 32 and the joint retention means16 to the subgirt 13. The wing elements 27 extend outwardly from thesubgirt 13 and are flexible in a direction parallel with the first andsecond side walls 18, 19 of the panels 11 between the normal positionillustrated in solid lines and a depressed position illustrated indotted outline. The wing elements 27 are relatively inflexible in adirection normal to the first and second side walls l8, 19.

An alternative embodiment of the present joint retention means isillustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 and comprises a clip member 40. The clipmember 40 presents a single wing element 27 extending outwardly from oneof the upstanding flange portions 26a of the U-shaped base 24 and isinclined relative to the web 25. The clip member 40 includes means (theupstanding flange portion 26a) for preventing rotation of the clipmember 40 about an axis extending normal to the base 24, for example thecentral axis of 41 (FIG. 6) of the central aperture 29 (FIG. 7).

FIG. 8 illustrates an insulated wall structure 42 comprising an innersheath assembled from plural liner sheets 43 presenting overlappingflanges 44; a layer of insulation 45 covering the interior surfaces ofthe liner sheets 43; horizontal girt members 46 (only one illustrated)secured to the overlapping flanges 44 by fasteners 47 (only onevisible); and building panels or facing sheets 11A, 118. The female lip20 of the panel 11A is secured to the girt member 46 by the clip member32 and fastener 39. It will be observed in FIG. 8 that the base 24 ofthe clip member 40 underlies the flat body portion 36 of the clip member32 and also is secured to the girt member 46 by the fastener 39.

It will be observed in FIG. 8 that the upstanding flange portion 26a ispresented in confronting relation with an edge of the flat body portion36 of the clip member 32, whereby rotation of the clip member 40 aboutthe axis 41 is prevented. The axis 41 extends normal to the girt member46 and is parallel with the first and second side walls 18, 19 of thebuilding panels 1 l A, 1 18.

Reference is now directed to FIGS. 9 through 14 which illustrate theinstallation of a building panel at a joint incorporating the presentjoint retention means 16. It will be observed in FIGS. 9 and 10 thatinitially the male lip 19 of the panel 11B is engaged with the flat endportions 28 of the wing elements 27. The panel 11B is moved inwardlytoward the subgirt 13 until the male lip 19 confronts the lengthwisechannel 21 of the female lip 20. During the inward movement of the panel11B, the wing elements 27 being flexible in a direction parallel withthe first and second side walls 18, 19 of the panels 11A, 11B aredepressed inwardly toward the subgirt 13. Thereafter, the panel 11B ismoved laterally to introduce the male lip 22 into the lengthwise channel21. As the second side wall 19 is moved beyond the clip member 40 (FIGS.13 and 14), the wing elements 27 return to their original outwardlyinclined position. It will be observed in FIG. 14 that the wing elements27 present corresponding longitudinal edges 48 (only one visible) inconfronting relation with a face 49 of the second side wall 19 which isremote from the first side wall 18. Since the wing elements 27 arerelatively inflexible in a direction normal to the side walls 18, 19,the male lip 22 is confined within the lengthwise channel 21 of thefemale lip 20. A centering device, such as a lip clip 50 (FIGS. l3, l4),maintains the male lip 22 centered within the channel 21 of the femalelip 20.

Reference is now directed to FIGS. 15 and 16 wherein an alternativeembodiment of the present clip member, indicated generally by thenumeral 55, is illustrated. The clip member presents wing elements 57extending outwardly from opposite edges of and inclined relative to abase 56. The wing elements 57 terminate in flat end portions 58. Thewing elements 57 present corresponding first longitudinal edges 59 andcorresponding second longitudinal edges 60. A base portion 61 extendslaterally beyond the corresponding second longitudinal edges of the wingelements 57 andis provided with a fastener receiving aperture 62.

Referring to FIG. 17, the building panels 11C, 11D are similar to thebuilding panels 11 of FIGS. 1 and 2. In the building panels 11C and 11D,the female lip 20 includes a terminal flange 63 which extends laterallyoutwardly beyond the first side wall 18 and comprises a fastening flangeby which a fastener 64 secures the panel 11C to the subgirt 13. It willbe observed in FIG. 17 that the clip member 55 also is secured to thesubgirt 13 by the fastener 64 passing through the aperture 62 (FIG. 16)of the base portion 61. The clip member 55 is positioned such that thecorresponding first longitudinal edge 59 of a wing element 57 confrontthe first side wall 18 of the panel 11C.

When installing the panel 11D, the male lip 22 thereof is engaged withthe flat end portions 58 of the wing elements 57 (FIG. 17). The panel11D is then pushed inwardly toward the subgirt 13 thereby depressing thewing element 57 toward the subgirt 13 and posi tioning the male lip 22thereof for introduction into the female lip 20 (FIG. 18). Thereafter,the panel 11D is displaced laterally toward the building panel 11C tointroduce the male lip 22 into the lengthwise channel 21 of the femalelip 20. As the second side wall 19 of a panel 11D is moved beyond thewing elements 57, the wing elements 57 return to their normally inclinedposition and have their corresponding first longitudinal edges 59confronting the face 49 of the second side wall 19 (FIG. 19). It will beobserved in FIG. 19 that the wing elements 57 confine the male lip 22within the female lip 20.

I claim: 1. In a joint between adjacent panels wherein said panelspresent confronting first and second side walls extending inwardlytoward a supporting structure, a female lip extending laterally from thefirst side wall and inwardly of the panel, a male lip extendinglaterally from the second side wall into said female lip, theimprovement comprising:

first means for securing said female lip to said supporting structure;and

second means for retaining said male lip engaged with said female lip,including at least one wing element extending outwardly from saidsupporting structure and presenting a longitudinal edge in confrontingrelation with a face of the second side wall which is remote from thefirst side wall, said wing element being flexible in a directionparallel with the second side wall and being relatively inflexible in adirection normal to the second side wall;

said female lip presenting a terminal flange portion extending laterallyof said first and second side walls and inwardly of said second panel;

a base formed integrally with said wing element and engaged with saidterminal flange portion; and said first means for securing said femalelip to said supporting structure comprising a fastener extending throughsaid base and said terminal flange portion.

2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said second means includes 5 asecond wing element extending outwardly from said base in a directionopposite to that of the first said wing element and having longitudinaledge presented in confronting relation with said face of the second sidewall, said second wing element being flexible in a direction parallelwith the second side wall and being relatively inflexible in a directionnormal to the second side wall.

3. In a joint between adjacent first and second panels wherein saidfirst and second panels present confronting first and second side walls,respectively, extending inwardly toward a supporting structure, a femalelip extending laterally from the first side wall and inwardly of saidfirst panel, a male lip extending laterally from the second side wallinto said female lip, the improvement comprising:

a first clip member having one end secured to said female lip and anopposite end confronting said supporting structure;

a second clip member having 25 a base engaged with said supportingstructure and said opposite end of said first clip member, and divergingwing elements extending in opposite directions from opposite sides ofsaid base and presenting corresponding longitudinal edges in confrontingrelation with a face of the second side wall which is remote from thefirst side wall, said wing elements being flexible in a directionparallel with said face of the second side wall and being relativelyinflexible in a direction normal to said face of the second side wall;and fastening means securing said opposite end of said first clip memberand said base of said second clip member to said supporting structure.4. The improvement of claim 3 wherein said base has a generally U-shapedtransverse profile including a web and end flanges angularly disposedrelative to said web, said opposite end of said first clip member beingdisposed between end flanges and engaging said web. 4

1. In a joint between adjacent panels wherein said panels presentconfronting first and second side walls extending inwardly toward asupporting structure, a female lip extending laterally from the firstside wall and inwardly of the panel, a male lip extending laterally fromthe second side wall into said female lip, the improvement comprising:first means for securing said female lip to said supporting Structure;and second means for retaining said male lip engaged with said femalelip, including at least one wing element extending outwardly from saidsupporting structure and presenting a longitudinal edge in confrontingrelation with a face of the second side wall which is remote from thefirst side wall, said wing element being flexible in a directionparallel with the second side wall and being relatively inflexible in adirection normal to the second side wall; said female lip presenting aterminal flange portion extending laterally of said first and secondside walls and inwardly of said second panel; a base formed integrallywith said wing element and engaged with said terminal flange portion;and said first means for securing said female lip to said supportingstructure comprising a fastener extending through said base and saidterminal flange portion.
 2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein saidsecond means includes a second wing element extending outwardly fromsaid base in a direction opposite to that of the first said wing elementand having longitudinal edge presented in confronting relation with saidface of the second side wall, said second wing element being flexible ina direction parallel with the second side wall and being relativelyinflexible in a direction normal to the second side wall.
 3. In a jointbetween adjacent first and second panels wherein said first and secondpanels present confronting first and second side walls, respectively,extending inwardly toward a supporting structure, a female lip extendinglaterally from the first side wall and inwardly of said first panel, amale lip extending laterally from the second side wall into said femalelip, the improvement comprising: a first clip member having one endsecured to said female lip and an opposite end confronting saidsupporting structure; a second clip member having a base engaged withsaid supporting structure and said opposite end of said first clipmember, and diverging wing elements extending in opposite directionsfrom opposite sides of said base and presenting correspondinglongitudinal edges in confronting relation with a face of the secondside wall which is remote from the first side wall, said wing elementsbeing flexible in a direction parallel with said face of the second sidewall and being relatively inflexible in a direction normal to said faceof the second side wall; and fastening means securing said opposite endof said first clip member and said base of said second clip member tosaid supporting structure.
 4. The improvement of claim 3 wherein saidbase has a generally U-shaped transverse profile including a web and endflanges angularly disposed relative to said web, said opposite end ofsaid first clip member being disposed between end flanges and engagingsaid web.